As of 2024, the top 1% in Uruguay earned 21.35% of total national income, while the bottom 50% received just 14.49%. Uruguay’s income inequality has increased since 1980, when the top 1% share was 19.01%.
Key Income Distribution Metrics for Uruguay in 2024
In 2024, income in Uruguay was distributed as follows: the wealthiest 1% of the population captured 21.35% of total national income, which is notably higher than the global average of 16.17%. Meanwhile, the bottom half of earners received 14.49% of income, roughly on par with the global average of 14.97%.
| Metric | Uruguay | Global Average |
|---|---|---|
| Top 1% Income Share | 21.35% | 16.17% |
| Top 10% Income Share | 46.55% | 45.21% |
| Bottom 50% Income Share | 14.49% | 14.97% |
| Gini Index | 39.98 | 40.77 |
How Has Income Inequality Changed in Uruguay?
Top 1% Income Share Trend (1980-2024)
The share of income going to Uruguay’s top 1% has increased over the past 44 years. In 1980, the top 1% captured 19.01% of national income. By 2024, this figure had risen by 2.34 percentage points to 21.35%.
Top 10% vs Bottom 50% Income Gap Over Time
The income gap between the top 10% and bottom 50% in Uruguay has narrowed over this period. In 1980, the top 10% earned 48.42% while the bottom 50% received 13.61%. By 2024, these figures shifted to 46.55% and 14.49% respectively.
| Year | Top 1% | Top 10% | Bottom 50% | Gap (Top 10 – Bottom 50) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 19.01% | 48.42% | 13.61% | 34.81 pp |
| 1986 | 19.01% | 48.42% | 13.61% | 34.81 pp |
| 1992 | 19.01% | 48.42% | 13.61% | 34.81 pp |
| 1998 | 19.01% | 48.42% | 13.61% | 34.81 pp |
| 2004 | 21.32% | 50.22% | 12.59% | 37.63 pp |
| 2010 | 19.97% | 46.85% | 14.63% | 32.22 pp |
| 2016 | 18.87% | 44.60% | 15.51% | 29.09 pp |
| 2022 | 15.73% | 44.30% | 15.25% | 29.05 pp |
How Uruguay Compares Globally
Uruguay vs South America Average
Compared to other countries in South America, Uruguay’s top 1% income share of 21.35% is slightly lower than the regional average of 22.53%. The bottom 50% in Uruguay receives 14.49% of income, compared to the South America average of 10.17%.
Where Uruguay Ranks Among All Countries
- Top 1% income concentration: Uruguay ranks 35th out of 184 countries (higher rank = more concentrated wealth at the top)
- Bottom 50% income share: Uruguay ranks 97th out of 184 countries (higher rank = larger share for the bottom half)
Countries with similar income inequality levels to Uruguay include Uganda's income inequality, income distribution in Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda.
Additional Economic Indicators for Uruguay
Poverty Rate
The poverty rate in Uruguay was recorded at 0.17% in 2024.
Gini Index
Uruguay’s Gini index of 39.98 indicates moderate inequality. The Gini index ranges from 0 (perfect equality) to 100 (maximum inequality).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income share of the top 1% in Uruguay?
As of 2024, the top 1% in Uruguay earned 21.35% of total national income. This level of concentration is considered very high by international standards.
Is income inequality increasing or decreasing in Uruguay?
Income inequality in Uruguay has increased since 1980. The top 1% income share moved from 19.01% in 1980 to 21.35% in 2024.
What percentage of income goes to the bottom 50% in Uruguay?
In 2024, the bottom 50% of earners in Uruguay received 14.49% of total national income. This compares with the top 10% who captured 46.55%.
What is the Gini coefficient of Uruguay?
Uruguay's Gini index was 39.98 as of 2024. A Gini of 0 represents perfect equality, while 100 represents maximum inequality.
What is the poverty rate in Uruguay?
The poverty rate in Uruguay was 0.17% as of 2024.
Last updated: April 8, 2026
Data source: World Inequality Database (WID). This dataset covers income distribution metrics for 199 countries from 1980 to 2024.